OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of male reproductive tract infection (RTI) with semen parameters and sperm DNA damage.

METHODSWe classified 1 084 males attending the infertility clinic into an RTI group (n = 300) and a non-RTI control group (n = 784). According to the WHO standards, we obtained routine semen parameters, detected sperm morphology, and determined the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by sperm chromatin structure assay.

RESULTSThere were statistically significant differences between the RTI and control groups in the semen volume ( [2.58 ± 1.20] vs [3.00 ± 2.10] ml), grade a + b sperm ([50.6 ± 17.2] vs [53.2 ± 15.8]%), grade d sperm ( [39. 8 ± 17.8] vs [36.5 ± 16.2]%), and total sperm count ([218.5 ± 185.0 ] vs [278.5 ± 375.5 ] x 10(6)/ejaculate) (all P < 0.05), but not in the males' age, sperm concentration or pH value (P > 0.05). The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was significantly lower ([3.46 ± 2.90] vs [4.61 ± 3.60%, P < 0.05) but the DFI was markedly higher in the RTI group than in the control ([19.4 ± 11.4] vs [15.2 ± 8.8]% , P < 0.01). The percentage of the cases with DFI > 30% was remarkably higher (13.0 vs 5.74% ) while that of the cases with DFI < 10% dramatically lower in the former than in the latter (16.0 vs 28.0%). The level of seminal plasma elastase was correlated negatively to sperm concentration, sperm count, and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P < 0.05) but positively to DFI and grade d sperm (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMale reproductive tract infection not only affects semen parameters and sperm morphology but also causes serious sperm DNA damage.

DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Male ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; physiopathology ; Semen ; chemistry ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors upgrading the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) Gleason score using the specimens from preoperative prostatic biopsy and radical prostatectomy.

METHODSA total of 164 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by biopsy underwent radical prostatectomy. We retrospectively analyzed their age, prostate volume, preoperative PSA level, PSA density (PSAD) , the time interval between biopsy and surgery, the number of positive punctures, positive surgical margin, seminal vesicle invasion, lymphatic invasion, and Gleason scores from biopsy and prostatectomy. We also determined the predictors of Gleason score upgrading by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSOf the 164 cases analyzed, 95 (57.93% ) showed a consistency between the Gleason score of preoperative prostatic biopsy and that after radical prostatectomy, 55 (33.54% ) increased and 14 (8.52%) decreased after prostatectomy as compared with preoperative biopsy. The prostate volume (P < 0.01) and biopsy score (P < 0.05) were independent predictors of Gleason score upgrading. The risk of Gleason score upgrading was 27 times higher in the patients with the prostate volume ≤ 25 ml and 9 times higher in the 25-40 ml group than in the > 60 ml group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow Gleason score of biopsy (≤ 6) and small prostate volume (≤ 40 ml) may be the predictors of Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy.

Biopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Grading ; Organ Size ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; classification ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective To determine the status of false-positive report of congenital syphilis (CS),to analyze the possible causes of mis-diagnosis.Methods Basic information on CS in Shanghai in the past five years was collected.We identified infants diagnosed with CS and followed up the sero- logical reactivity of those patients and their mothers.The serological reactivity[rapid plasmin reagin (RPR)and treponema palidum hemagglutination assay(TPPA)]of infants was followed-up for up to 24 months,or until both antibodies turned to negative.The medical history of the mothers was col- lected,and their sera were examined for syphilitic antibodies.Results Total 99 infants diagnosed with CS were recruited. The major diagnostic method was treponemal antibody detection.Only 31.3% of the 99 infants exhibited clinical symptoms or syphilis-like symptoms at delivery.The cumu- lative RPR loss rates of the infants were 44.2%,64.0%,72.7%,83.9% and 87.1% at 1-3,3-6,6- 12,12-18 and 18-24 months after birth,respectively.The cumulative TPPA loss rates were 1.1%, 18.6%,44.6%,66.7% and 74.4% for 1-3,3-6,6-12,12-18 and 18-24 months after birth,respec- tively.TPPA remained positive in all mothers with syphilis.Conclusion The diagnosis of congenital syphilis determined solely by the positive tests of RPR and TPPA is unreliable and can be misdiagno- sis.The diagnosis and management of congenital syphilis should be urgently improved,and that the profes- sional health institutions should perform and closely monitor the quality controls in the diagnosis of CS and standardize the intervention strategy of maternal syphilis.

Objective To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity , and their relationship between overweight , obesity and chronic diseases among adults in Pinghu City . Methods A total of 3 106 local registered permanent residents aged above 18 years were selected by multi-stage random sam-pling and questionnaire surveys were conducted .The blood glucose , blood lipid , blood pressure , height and weight of the participants were tested . Results The prevalence rate of overweight was 31 .6%( the standardized rate was 29 .5%) and the prevalence rate of obesity was 8 .1% ( the standardized rate is 7 .8%) in residents aged above 18 years in Pinghu City .The prevalence rate of overweight and obesity was highest among population aged from 50 to 59 years.The prevalence rates of overweight of the population in different ages and with different education backgrounds had significant differences ( P <0.05 ).The prevalence rates of diabetes , hypertension and dyslipidemia among overweight and obese population were higher than those with normal weight ( P <0 .01 ) .BMI was the risk factor of hypertension , diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia , and the OR value was 1 .508 , 2 .127 and 1 .571 , respectively . Conclusion The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Pinghu City is serious and has close relation with chronic diseases .Prevention and intervention measures are necessary for the overweight and obesity population .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the interactive effect of job task and psychosocial factors on the outcomes of musculoskeletal disorders.

METHODS653 workers from different type of manufacturing industries and administration office recruited in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey. The Quick Exposure Check (QEC) was applied to assess the ergonomic load of job task, Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) for identifying psychological characteristics, and Nordic Standardized Questionnaire for investigating outcomes of WMSDs.

RESULTSThe prevalence of WMSD in shoulder, upper back, lower back and hand/wrist were significantly different under a variety of combined job task and psychosocial characteristics (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The more physical and psychological loads, the higher prevalence of WMSDs were revealed. By using multivariate analyses, a potential interactive effect was found in terms of the WMSDs symptoms in hand/wrist, shoulder, upper back and lower back after adjusted by work year, age, and gender.

CONCLUSIONSHigher physical load and greater psychosocial risk are more frequent self-reported symptoms of WMSDs than those of lower exposures. Ergonomic intervention strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of WMSDs should not only be focused on control of physical work factors but also psychosocial risks of relevance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; etiology ; psychology ; Occupational Diseases ; etiology ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Task Performance and Analysis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of combined determination of neutrophil CD64 and procalcitonin (PCT) in the early diagnosis of neonatal bacterial infection.

METHODSAccording to discharge diagnosis, 37 neonates with bacterial infection were divided into sepsis (n=15) and ordinary infection (non-sepsis) groups (n=22). Twenty-one neonates without infection who were hospitalized during the same period of time were enrolled as the control group. Venous blood samples were collected immediately after admission. Flow cytometry was used to measure the serum level of neutrophil CD64. Chemiluminescence and immune transmission turbidimetry were used to measure the serum levels of PCT and CRP respectively.

RESULTSThe sepsis group had higher serum levels of neutrophil CD64, PCT, and CRP than the control group (P<0.01), the ordinary infection group had a higher serum level of neutrophil CD64 than the control group (P<0.01), and the sepsis group had higher serum levels of PCT and CRP than the ordinary infection group (P<0.01). The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of neutrophil CD64, PCT, and CRP in diagnosing bacterial infection were 0.818, 0.818, and 0.704 respectively, and the AUC of combined neutrophil CD64 and PCT was 0.926. A combination of neutrophil CD64 and PCT had a sensitivity of 97.29% and an accuracy of 89.65% in the early diagnosis of neonatal bacterial infection.The sensitivity and accuracy were higher than those of a combination of CRP and neutrophil CD64 or PCT as well as neutrophil CD64, PCT, or CRP alone for the early diagnosis of neonatal bacterial infection.

CONCLUSIONSThe combined determination of neutrophil CD64 and PCT can improve the sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of neonatal bacterial infection, which helps with early identification of bacterial infection.

Bacterial Infections ; blood ; diagnosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Calcitonin ; blood ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Neutrophils ; chemistry ; ROC Curve ; Receptors, IgG ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia on immune function in patients with extracorporeal circulation undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODSThirty cases undergoing cardiac surgery which included atrial septal defect neoplasty, ventricular septal defect neoplasty, mitral valve replacement and pulmonary valve coarctotomy were randomly divided into group A and group B, 15 cases in each group. Group A was given general anesthesia plus acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7) and Yunmen (LU 2), and group B was given simple general anesthesia. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels before and after surgery were compared.

RESULTSThe level of TNF-alpha was increased and the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 in the serum were decreased in both groups after extracorporeal circulation for 2 h and 24 h, and the ranges of all changes were more less in group A (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with simple general anesthesia, acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia can improve immune suppression partially in the perioperative periods under the same conditions of controlling anesthesia degree.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; blood ; immunology ; surgery ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perioperative Care ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

Adult ; Fatty Liver ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVETo explore the indications and effect of surgical resection for hepatic metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma and to discuss the implications of clinicopathologic features on the prognosis.

METHODSA retrospective study of 61 patients undergoing hepatectomy for metastatic tumors from colorectal adenocarcinoma from January 1991 to December 2000 in our hospital was performed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates after hepatic resection were 72.13%, 58.10% and 26.01% respectively. Complications occurred in 8 cases. Tumor pesudomembrance was found in 20 cases. Dukes stage, pathologic type,the number of hepatic metastases and tumor pesudomembrance were all significant factors for prognosis after surgery (P< 0.05). The 3-year survival rate of the patients with postoperative comprehensive treatment was higher than that with non-postoperative treatment (P< 0.05). The size of hepatic metastases and the resecting time didn't affect the prognosis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer should be treated by a surgical approach. The earlier stage of clinical pathology,higher differentiation extent, metastases less than 3, the formation of pesudomembrance of the metastatic tumor and the postoperative comprehensive treatment predict a better survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the necessity of No.14v lymph node dissection in D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 131 cases of advanced gastric cancer receiving D2 or D2+ plus No.14v lymph node dissection were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathological factors associated with No.14v lymph node metastasis were analyzed and prognostic value of No.14v lymph node metastasis was evaluated.

RESULTSOf the 131 patients, 24 (18.3%) had positive No.14v lymph node. The incidence of 14v metastasis was associated with tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, N staging, TNM staging, No.1, No.6, and No.8a lymph nodes metastasis. Tumor location and N staging were independent risk factors for No.14v metastasis (all P<0.05). The 5-year survival rate was 8.3% and 37.8% in patients with and without No.14v metastasis respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that metastasis of No.14v was an independent prognostic factor for advanced gastric cancer after D2 lymphadenectomy (P=0.029, RR=1.807, 95%CI:1.064-3.070).

CONCLUSIONSFor advanced middle and lower gastric cancers, especially those with larger size, serosa invasion and possibility of No.6 lymph node metastasis, it is necessary and feasible to remove the No.14v lymph node.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery